USPTO Patents Application 09334424

U.S. Application No. 09/334,424 PATENT
Reply to Office Action dated November 25, 2008 4501 00-49 1 6

IN THE CLAIMS

This listing of claims will replace all prior versions, and listings, of claims in
the application. An identifier indicating the status of each claim is provided.

Listing of Claims

1-43. (Canceled)

44. (Currently Amended) An information transmitting apparatus which transmits
a plurality of signals, said signals including at least video signals and audio signals, to an
information receiving apparatus, said information transmitting apparatus comprising:

a plurality of encoding means for separately encoding each of said video signals
and each of said audio signals;

first multiplexing means for multiplexing a plurality of pairs of encoded signals,
each pair of encoded signals having one encoded video signal and one encoded audio signal;

second multiplexing means for multiplexing the multiplexed plurality of pairs of
encoded video signals and encoded audio signals; and

control means for controlling a multiplexing ratio among the plurality of signals
in the second multiplexing means, controlling a video data occupation bandwidth, an audio data
occupation bandwidth, and a program data occupation bandwidth in relation to a transmission
channel bandwidth,

wherein the information receiving apparatus reads contents of a program
information data of a current program and a next program at a re-transmission cycle of the
program information data of the current program and the next program, and recognizes a

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U.S. Application No. 09/334,424 PATENT
Reply to Office Action dated November 25, 2008 450100-4916

transmission status of the program information data

wherein the contents includes a status flag indicating whether the program

information data is being transmitted based on different status flag values , and

wherein said control means controls said multiplexing ratio to enable acquisition

of program information in a reduced period of time by increasing transmission of program data

when transmission of video data and audio data can be decreased.

45. (Previously Presented) The information transmitting apparatus according to
claim 44, wherein the transmitting apparatus transmits the plurality of signals as a single
transport stream.

46. (Previously Presented) The information transmitting apparatus according to
claim 44, further comprising database means for providing data that relates to transmission rates
of the plurality of signals at each time point, wherein the control means controls the multiplexing
ratio while referring to the database means.

47. (Previously Presented) The information transmitting apparatus according to
claim 44, wherein the control means controls an output rate of each of the plurality of encoding
means.

48. (Previously Presented) The information transmitting apparatus according to
claim 44, wherein the plurality of signals further comprise program information.

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U.S. Application No. 09/334,424

Reply to Office Action dated November 25, 2008

PATENT
450100-4916

49. (Currently Amended) An information transmitting apparatus which transmits
program information to an information receiving apparatus, said information transmitting
apparatus comprising:

a plurality of video encoding means for encoding each video signal;

a plurality of audio encoding means for encoding each audio signal;

program information data generating means for generating data of the program

information;

first multiplexing means for multiplexing the data of the program information that
is output from the program information data generating means with encoded video data that is
output from the plurality of video encoding means and encoded audio data that is output from the
plurality of audio encoding means in order to form pairs of multiplexed data;

second multiplexing means for multiplexing the pairs of multiplexed encoded
video data, encoded audio data and data of the program information; and

control means for controlling a data output rate of each of the plurality of video
encoding means, a data output rate of each of the plurality of audio encoding means, a data
output rate of the program information data generating means, and a multiplexing ratio among
the encoded video data, the encoded audio data, the data of the program information in the
second multiplexing means, a video data occupation bandwidth, an audio data occupation
bandwidth, and a program data occupation bandwidth in relation to a transmission channel
bandwidth,

wherein the information receiving apparatus reads contents of a program
information data of a current program and a next program at a re-transmission cycle of the

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U.S. Application No. 09/334,424 PATENT
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program information data of the current program and the next program, and recognizes a

transmission status of the program information data

wherein the contents includes a status flag indicating whether the program

information data is being transmitted based on different status flag values , and

wherein said control means controls said multiplexing ratio to enable acquisition

of program information in a reduced period of time by increasing transmission of program data

when transmission of video data and audio data can be decreased.

50. (Currently Amended) An information transmitting method for transmitting a
plurality of signals, said signals including at least video signals and audio signals, to an
information receiving apparatus, said information transmitting method comprising:

an encoding step for separately encoding each of said video signals and each of
said audio signals;

a first multiplexing step for multiplexing a plurality of pairs of encoded signals,
each pair of encoded signals having one encoded video signal and one encoded audio signal;

a second multiplexing step for multiplexing the multiplexed plurality of pairs of
encoded video signals and encoded audio signals;

a control step for controlling a multiplexing ratio among the plurality of signals in
the second multiplexing step, a video data occupation bandwidth, an audio data occupation
bandwidth, and a program data occupation bandwidth in relation to a transmission channel
bandwidth; and

a receiving step wherein the information receiving apparatus receives the plurality
of signals, reads contents of a program information data of a current program and a next program

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at a re-transmission cycle of the program information data of the current program and the next

program, and recognizes a transmission status of the program information data

wherein the contents includes a status flag indicating whether the program

information data is being transmitted based on different status flag values ,

wherein said control step controls said multiplexing ratio to enable acquisition of

program information in a reduced period of time by increasing transmission of program data

when transmission of video data and audio data can be decreased.

51-52. (Canceled)

53. (Currently Amended) An information transmitting method for transmitting
program information to an information receiving apparatus, said information transmitting
method comprising:

a video encoding step of encoding each video signal of each of a plurality of
video encoding means;

an audio encoding step of encoding each audio signal of each of a plurality of
audio encoding means;

a program information data generating step of generating data of the program

information;

a first multiplexing step of multiplexing the data of the program information that
is output by the program information data generating step with encoded video data that is output
by the video encoding step and encoded audio data that is output by the audio encoding step in
order to form pairs of multiplexed data;

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a second multiplexing step for multiplexing the pairs of multiplexed encoded
video data, encoded audio data and multiplexed data of the program information;

a control step of controlling a data output rate of each of the plurality of video
encoding means in the video encoding step, a data output rate of each of the plurality of audio
encoding means in the audio encoding step, a data output rate of the program information data
generating step, a multiplexing ratio among the encoded video data, the encoded audio data, and
the data of the program information in the second multiplexing step, a video data occupation
bandwidth, an audio data occupation bandwidth, and a program data occupation bandwidth in
relation to a transmission channel bandwidth;

an acquiring step of acquiring electronic program guide data, at the information
receiving apparatus, only during a data transfer rate increase period; and

a receiving step wherein the information receiving apparatus receives the encoded
video data, the encoded audio data, and the data of the program information, reads contents of a
program information data of a current program and a next program at a re-transmission cycle of
the program information data of the current program and the next program, and recognizes a
transmission status of the program information data

wherein the contents includes a status flag indicating whether the program
information data is being transmitted based on different status flag values ,

wherein said control step controls said multiplexing ratio to enable acquisition of
program information in a reduced period of time by increasing transmission of program data
when transmission of video data and audio data can be decreased.

54-57. (Canceled)

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U.S. Application No. 09/3 34,424 PATENT
Reply to Office Action dated November 25, 2008 4501 00-49 1 6

58. (Currently Amended) An information receiving apparatus which receives
multiplexed program information that is comprised of a plurality of multiplexed pairs of encoded
signals, each pair of encoded signals having one encoded video signal and one encoded audio
signal, said information receiving apparatus comprising:

acquiring electronic program guide data only during a data transfer rate increase

period;

separating means for separating the multiplexed program information;
a plurality of decoding means for separately decoding each of the video signals
and each of the audio signals;

storing means for storing the program information separated by the separating

means; and

control means for controlling a data acquisition time and for controlling
operations of the separating means and the storing means in accordance with a transmission rate
of the program information and the data acquisition time,

wherein the information receiving apparatus reads contents of a program
information data of a current program and a next program at a re-transmission cycle of the
program information data of the current program and the next program, and recognizes a
transmission status of the program information data

wherein the contents includes a status flag indicating whether the program
information data is being transmitted based on different status flag values , and

wherein said control means enables acquisition of program information in a
reduced period of time by increasing reception of program data when transmission of video data

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PATENT
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and audio data have been decreased.

59. (Currently Amended) An information receiving method for receiving
program information that is comprised of a plurality of multiplexed pairs of encoded signals,
each pair of encoded signals having one encoded video signal and one encoded audio signal, said
information receiving method comprising:

an acquiring step for acquiring electronic program guide data only during a data
transfer rate increase period;

a separating step for separating the multiplexed program information;

a decoding step for separately decoding each of the video signals and each of the

audio signals;

a storing step for storing the program information separated by the separating

step;

a control step for controlling a data acquisition time and for controlling operations
of the separating step and the storing step in accordance with a transmission rate of the program
information and the data acquisition time; and

a receiving step wherein the information receiving apparatus receives the plurality
of multiplexed encoded signals, reads contents of a program information data of a current
program and a next program at a re-transmission cycle of the program information data of the
current program and the next program, and recognizes a transmission status of the program
information data

wherein the contents includes a status flag indicating whether the program
information data is being transmitted based on different status flag values ,

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wherein said control means enables acquisition of program information in a

reduced period of time by increasing reception of program data when transmission of video data

and audio data have been decreased.

60. (Currently Amended) A computer-readable medium adapted to store a
computer program for causing an information receiving apparatus to receive program
information that is comprised of a plurality of multiplexed pairs of encoded signals, each pair of
encoded signals having one encoded video signal and one encoded audio signal, the program
comprising:

an acquiring step for acquiring electronic program guide data only during a data
transfer rate increase period;

a separating step for separating the multiplexed program information;

a decoding step for separately decoding each of the video signals and each of the

audio signals;

a storing step for storing the program information separated by the separating

step;

a control step for controlling a data acquisition time and for controlling operations
of the separating step and the storing step in accordance with a transmission rate of the program
information and the data acquisition time; and

a receiving step wherein the information receiving apparatus receives the plurality
of multiplexed pairs of encoded signals, reads contents of a program information data of a
current program and a next program at a re-transmission cycle of the program information data
of the current program and the next program, and recognizes a transmission status of the program

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information data

wherein the contents includes a status flag indicating whether the program
information data is being transmitted based on different status flag values , and

wherein said control means enables acquisition of program information in a
reduced period of time by increasing reception of program data when transmission of video data
and audio data have been decreased.

61. (Currently Amended) A broadcasting system having an information
transmitting apparatus which transmits program information to an information receiving
apparatus which receives multiplexed program information comprised of a plurality of
multiplexed pairs of encoded signals, each pair of encoded signals having one encoded video
signal and one encoded audio signal,

the information transmitting apparatus comprising:

a plurality of video encoding means for encoding each video signal;

a plurality of audio encoding means for encoding each audio signal;

program information data generating means for generating data of the program

information;

first multiplexing means for multiplexing the data of the program information that
is output from the program information data generating means with encoded video data that is
output from the plurality of video encoding means and encoded audio data that is output from the
plurality of audio encoding means in order to form pairs of multiplexed data;

second multiplexing means for multiplexing the pairs of multiplexed encoded
video data, encoded audio data and data of the program information; and

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control means for controlling a data output rate of each of the plurality of video
encoding means, a data output rate of each of the plurality of audio encoding means, a data
output rate of the program information data generating means, and a multiplexing ratio among
the encoded video data, encoded the audio data, the data of the program information in the
second multiplexing means a video data occupation bandwidth, an audio data occupation
bandwidth, and a program data occupation bandwidth in relation to a transmission channel
bandwidth, and

the information receiving apparatus comprising:

acquiring means for acquiring electronic program guide data only during a data
transfer rate increase period;

separating means for separating the multiplexed program information;

a plurality of decoding means for separately decoding each of the video signals
and each of the audio signals;

storing means for storing the program information separated by the separating

means; and

control means for controlling operations of the separating means and the storing
means in accordance with a transmission rate of the program information,

wherein the information receiving apparatus reads contents of a program
information data of a current program and a next program at a re-transmission cycle of the
program information data of the current program and the next program, and recognizes a
transmission status of the program information data

wherein the contents includes a status flag indicating whether the program
information data is being transmitted based on different status flag values , and

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wherein said control means of said information transmitting apparatus controls

said multiplexing ratio to enable acquisition of program information in a reduced period of time

by increasing transmission of program data when transmission of video data and audio data can

be decreased.

62. (Currently Amended) An information transmitting apparatus which transmits
program information to an information receiving apparatus, said information transmitting
apparatus comprising:

program information data generating means for generating program information
data including information of a transmission status of the program information;

first multiplexing means for multiplexing the program information data generated
by the program information data generating means with a plurality of pairs of encoded signals,
each pair of encoded signals having one encoded video signal and one encoded audio signal; and

second multiplexing means for multiplexing the multiplexed plurality of pairs of
encoded video signals and encoded audio signals;

control means for controlling a video data occupation bandwidth, an audio data
occupation bandwidth, and a program data occupation bandwidth in relation to a transmission
channel bandwidth,

wherein the information receiving apparatus reads contents of a program
information data of a current program and a next program at a re-transmission cycle of the
program information data of the current program and the next program, and recognizes a
transmission status of the program information data

wherein the contents includes a status flag indicating whether the program

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information data is being transmitted based on different status flag values , and

wherein said control means controls said program data occupation bandwidth to

enable acquisition of program information in a reduced period of time by increasing transmission

of program data when the transmission of video data and audio data can be decreased.

63. (Currently Amended) An information transmitting method for transmitting
program information to an information receiving apparatus, said information transmitting
method comprising:

a program information data generating step for generating program information
data including information of a transmission status of the program information;

a first multiplexing step for multiplexing the program information data generated
by the program information data generating means with a plurality of pairs of encoded signals,
each pair of encoded signals having one encoded video signal and one encoded audio signal; and

a second multiplexing step for multiplexing the multiplexed plurality of pairs of
encoded video signals and encoded audio signals;

a control step of controlling a video data occupation bandwidth, an audio data
occupation bandwidth, and a program data occupation bandwidth in relation to a transmission
channel bandwidth; and

a receiving step wherein the information receiving apparatus receives the
multiplexed plurality of pairs of encoded video signals and encoded audio signals, reads contents
of a program information data of a current program and a next program at a re-transmission cycle
of the program information data of the current program and the next program, and recognizes a
transmission status of the program information data

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wherein the contents includes a status flag indicating whether the program

information data is being transmitted based on different status flag values , and

wherein said control step controls said program data occupation bandwidth to

enable acquisition of program information in a reduced period of time by increasing transmission

of program data when transmission of video data and audio data can be decreased.

64. (Canceled)

65. (Currently Amended) An information receiving apparatus which receives
multiplexed program information that is comprised of a plurality of multiplexed pairs of encoded
signals, each pair of encoded signals having one encoded video signal and one encoded audio
signal, said information receiving apparatus comprising:

acquiring means for acquiring electronic program guide data only during a data
transfer rate increase period;

separating means for separating the multiplexed program information;

a plurality of decoding means for separately decoding each of the video signals
and each of the audio signals;

extracting means for extracting information of a transmission status of the
program information that is included in the program information data separated by the separating
means; and

control means for controlling a data acquisition time and for controlling
operations of the separating step in accordance with a transmission rate of the program
information and the data acquisition time,

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wherein the information receiving apparatus reads contents of a program
information data of a current program and a next program at a re-transmission cycle of the
program information data of the current program and the next program, and recognizes a
transmission status of the program information data

wherein the contents includes a status flag indicating whether the program
information data is being transmitted based on different status flag values , and

wherein said control means enables acquisition of program information in a
reduced period of time by increasing reception of program data when transmission of video data
and audio data have been decreased.

66. (Currently Amended) An information receiving method for receiving
multiplexed program information comprised of a plurality of multiplexed pairs of encoded
signals, each pair of encoded signals having one encoded video signal and one encoded audio
signal, said information receiving method comprising:

an acquiring step for acquiring electronic program guide data only during a data
transfer rate increase period;

a separating step for separating the multiplexed program information;

a decoding step for separately decoding each of the video signals and each of the
audio signals; and

an extracting step for extracting information of a transmission status of the
program information that is included in the program information data separated by the separating
step;

a control step for controlling a data acquisition time and for controlling operations

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of the separating step in accordance with a transmission rate of the program information and the

data acquisition time; and

a receiving step wherein the information receiving apparatus receives the plurality

of multiplexed pairs of encoded signals, reads contents of a program information data of a

current program and a next program at a re-transmission cycle of the program information data

of the current program and the next program, and recognizes a transmission status of the program

information data

wherein the contents includes a status flag indicating whether the program
information data is being transmitted based on different status flag values ,

wherein said control step enables acquisition of program information in a reduced
period of time by increasing reception of program data when transmission of video data and
audio data have been decreased.

67. (Currently Amended) A computer-readable medium adapted to store a
computer program for causing an information receiving apparatus to receive multiplexed
program information comprised of a plurality of multiplexed pairs of encoded signals, each pair
of encoded signals having one encoded video signal and one encoded audio signal, the program
comprising:

an acquiring step for acquiring electronic program guide data only during a data
transfer rate increase period;

a separating step for separating the multiplexed program information;

a decoding step for separately decoding each of the video signals and each of the

audio signals;

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an extracting step for extracting information of a transmission status of the

program information that is included in the program information data separated by the separating

step;

a control step for controlling a data acquisition time and for controlling operations
of the separating step in accordance with a transmission rate of the program information and the
data acquisition time; and

a receiving step wherein the information receiving apparatus receives the plurality
of multiplexed pairs of encoded signals, reads contents of a program information data of a
current program and a next program at a re-transmission cycle of the program information data
of the current program and the next program, and recognizes a transmission status of the program
information data

wherein the contents includes a status flag indicating whether the program
information data is being transmitted based on different status flag values ,

wherein said control step enables acquisition of program information in a reduced
period of time by increasing reception of program data when transmission of video data and
audio data have been decreased.

68. (Currently Amended) A broadcasting system having an information
transmitting apparatus which transmits program information to an information receiving
apparatus which receives multiplexed program information comprised of a plurality of
multiplexed pairs of encoded signals, each pair of encoded signals having one encoded video
signal and one encoded audio signal,

the information transmitting apparatus comprising:

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program information data generating means for generating program information
data including information of a transmission status of the program information;

first multiplexing means for multiplexing the program information data generated
by the program information data generating means with a plurality of pairs of encoded video
signals and encoded audio signals;

second multiplexing means for multiplexing the multiplexed plurality of pairs of
encoded video signals and encoded audio signals; and

control means for controlling a video data occupation bandwidth, an audio data
occupation bandwidth, and a program data occupation bandwidth in relation to a transmission
channel bandwidth; and

the information receiving apparatus comprising:

acquiring means for acquiring electronic program guide data only during a data

transfer rate increase period;

separating means for separating the multiplexed program information; and
extracting means for extracting information of a transmission status of the

program information that is included in the program information data separated by the separating

means,

wherein the information receiving apparatus reads contents of a program
information data of a current program and a next program at a re-transmission cycle of the
program information data of the current program and the next program, and recognizes a
transmission status of the program information data

wherein the contents includes a status flag indicating whether the program
information data is being transmitte d based on different status flag values , and

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wherein said control means of said information transmitting apparatus controls

said program data occupation bandwidth to enable acquisition of program information in a

reduced period of time by increasing transmission of program data when transmission of video

data and audio data can be decreased.

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